Calgary father and son charged in alleged sexual exploitation of young girls
Posted June 2, 2023 2:54 pm.
Calgary police have charged a father and son who allegedly sexually exploited, assaulted and extorted multiple teenage girls over the course of several months.
They say in April, police located a 13-year-old girl who had been reported missing. At this time, she disclosed she was in a relationship with a 24-year-old man who allegedly gave her drugs, alcohol and vapes in exchange for sex.
Investigators learned the 24-year-old man and his 56-year-old father work and own Haddon Convenience Store, located at 208 Haddon Road SW. They also own Premier Liquor Wine and Spirits, next to the convenience store, where the assaults allegedly occurred.
As the investigation went on, officers found the pair were giving vapes, marijuana, cigarettes, and alcohol to multiple other teenage girls, who they say were sexually assaulted at the businesses.
Police believe these incidents happened between December 2022 and May 2023.
The girls weren’t able to legally consent, as the age of consent in Canada is 16.
“These are incredibly serious charges, where vulnerable youths were being targeted, exploited and forced to enter a dangerous lifestyle,” said. S. Sgt. Darren Smith of the Calgary Police Service Child Abuse Unit.
“Thankfully, with the support of Alberta Health Services, Alberta Gaming Liquor and Cannabis Commission, and The City of Calgary, we have been able to stop the continued exploitation of these young girls, and with our partners at the Luna Child and Youth Advocacy Centre, will be able to support the victims moving forward.”
The father and son were arrested Thursday at a home in the northwest, where 975 grams of cocaine, with a street value of $97,500 and seven handguns were seized.
Search warrants were also carried out at the two businesses resulting in the seizure of a computer with child pornography, drugs and drug paraphernalia, contraband tobacco, vape cartridges, and a collapsible baton, police say.
Sumrit Walia, 24, has been charged with one count of sexual interference with a minor, one count of sexual exploitation, one count of sexual assault, one count of possession of child pornography, one count of accessing child pornography, one count of creating child pornography, alongside several other weapons and drug charges.
He appeared in court Friday.
Gurpartap Singh Walia, 56, has been charged with four counts of sexual assault, four counts of sexual interference with a minor and one count of selling contraband tobacco.
He is set to appear in court on June 22.
The victims are being supported by the Luna Child and Youth Advocacy Centre, which provides wrap-around support for children, youths and families who have been impacted by severe and complex abuse. For more information on how to recognize the signs of child abuse and what to do if you suspect a child or youth is being abused, visit their website at www.lunacentre.ca.
Anyone who is a victim of child sexual exploitation or abuse, or believes they know someone who is, is asked to contact the police non-emergency number at 403-266-1234 or submit a tip through CrimeStoppers.
